The Dream ACT

One East Palo Alto held it's 2nd Annual Quarterly Meeting last week. OEPA has always tried to create a forum so the community can discuss issues relevant to them. Such was the case at this meeting; the topic was " Do Immigrant students Have a Right To Go To College" ? According to the San Francisco Chronicle, there are over 25,000 undocumented students who graduate every year from high school.

We watched a video of student testimonials and heard from a panel of students who shared their plight as undocumented students attempting to go to college. They spoke of the financial challenges they faced, because they are not eligible to receive any financial aid. Tuition at California State Colleges and Universities have increased each year. Currently, a student pays an average of $12,000 at a state school. Imagine having to raise these dollars without financial aid. Financial aid includes, grants from state or federal sources, loans, and in most cases scholarships.

How do they make it? Some have not;one student dropped out of Berkeley because he was unable to raise the funds to cover tuition. Others have been fortunate to have been selected by a school who provides funds to qualified students regardless of their "status". Most struggle year to year, looking for funds, sponsors and the few scholarships available to them. Instead of having their full focus on their classes and assignments, they can become preoccupied with the issue of tuition. Do they deserve this?

We learned of the "Dream Act" SB1301, being considered by the legislature in Sacramento. The Dream Act would allow students to apply and compete for institutional aid administered by the attending college or university, regardless of their immigration status.

We should take a good look at this legislation when it comes before the Assembly in it's final form. The success of the Dream Act will have a direct impact on the growing number of college eligible students in our community. It can only help our community to have college educated individuals living and working here.

Thank you One East Palo Alto for being this issue to our attention.

Calling All Youth

The Measure C committee appointed by the City Council will be hosting a Forum for Youth, Saturday, June 14, 2008. The forum will be held in the community room - 2415 University Avenue, and begins at 10:00 a.m. Please spread the word to all teens and young adults. The Measure C committee is working on developing recommendations on criteria for agencies who will be seeking Measure C funds. Currently, it is estimated that the funds, $350,000 a year will be available to be used to support programs that address the needs of at risk youth.
So we want to hear from the youth. What programs would they participate in? What services would meet their needs?
This forum provides an opportunity to voice their opinions and have some influence on how these dollars are allocated.

Saturday, June 14th- 10:00 a.m. East Palo Alto, City Hall

Register Voters

What's next? Hopefully, it's clear to all that Barack Obama is  the Democratic nominee  and now we need to move forward on next steps. While Hillary folks may or may not join others, we can't depend on that to ensure he gets the necessary votes to become our next President. What we need to do is to register, register, register new voters. There are hundreds of young adults, here in East Palo Alto who are not yet registered to vote. There are many who have moved into and within the community  who need to be registered. Each of us can help in this effort. Ask your family members, ask your neighbors, ask your friends - are you registered? Forms can be found at the Post office, at DMV offices, East Palo Alto City Hall, and other locations around the community. There will be several voter registration drives around the community over the next few months. Look for voter registration tables around the community.

This is a very important election and we are going to be careful not be assume Barack will be the winner. Let's not let this slip out of our hands. 

Follow this blog to learn more about community wide efforts being organized for Barack Obama, and join us.

And Now John Edwards

 Today Barack Obama received the endorsement of John Edwards. This provides a tremendous boost for Barack. I am pleased to see that more and more of the "party Democrats" are seeing the light. It's time to line up behind Barack and focus our efforts on unseating the Republicans.

How long will Hillary attempt to hold on? Those of you are supporters should encourage her to put aside her "personal" desires for the sake of the party.

Closer to a candidate

Last evening, was a very exciting evening watching the election returns. For many weeks, some of us have been on "pins and needles" waiting to see how the media focus on Rev. Wright's comments would affect the outcome of the upcoming primaries. 

Well, it appears we may now be closer to identifying ONE candidate to rally around so that we can work to defeat the Republicans. I am happy to see that the mud slinging and the attacking among Democrats will end. There is too much at stake. 

Every day we hear of families losing their homes, losing their jobs, their health insurance and bearly able to feed their families. The price of bread, milk and gas continue to rise. Seniors are choosing between their medication and food.

More students are being squeezed into over crowded classrooms in elementary school as well as in state colleges and universities. The federal deficit is climbing with billions, yes billions of dollars going to overseas.

What we want is for some relief. Some leader who can respond to the needs of those of us who are the "bread and butter" of this country. I think that leader has been identified.  

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

The City Council tonight, approved of spending $8,000 in public funds ( bond money) to hire a county consultant to develop drawings for modifications to city space at 2415 University. What is the council thinking? The city is LEASING the space and the idea of spending city money that could be used for other public improvements is outrageous. 

The city manager lead the council down a path, where they were told if they don't spend this money have to be returned to the source. The council neglected to ask the most important question- what else could these funds be used for? 

After much probing, Mr. James did admit that this project COULD cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

So, let me understand --we're going to take bond revenue, spend it to improve a building we don't own, continue to pay rent, and if we're lucky we won't see an increase in rent, and possibly an eviction notice ( like the tenants on O'keefe). Is this the best use of PUBLIC DOLLARS?

I think not. 

Let me know what you think?